Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/491368
62 STiR tea & coffee industry international Motovotano worked with engineers to design the Epanie with a loose leaf loading capability using synchronized real time blending. Each blend component sits in a separate hopper within the machine. The ingredients are weighed to hundredths of a gram and are blended in real time by weight into each in- dividual tea bag so every teabag has the same appearance and flavor profile. This advance is important because maintaining a homogenous blend throughout manufacturing is very difficult. As a blend moves through a machine it will immediately start to separate. Real time blending eliminates the problem. Combined with recent technology shifts that enable dosing of whole leaf tea without breaking the leaves, Mackness thinks the game has changed completely. "You can genuinely put in loose leaf tea or whole leaf herbs. It's like a tea bag revolution." The need for speed MAI S.A. of Argentina has been producing single chamber tea bag packaging machines since 1976. Over the past decade, they have recognized a demand for equipment that can produce tea bags more quickly, with a greater level of automation. Accord- ing to sales executive Laura Maria, the high cost of labor in many places makes increased automation and speed critical to a healthy bottom line. MAI S.A. introduced the EC24 Compact to better meet customer needs. The new equipment increased production to 220 single chamber bags per minute and is fully automatic, while still producing a reliable final product. TEEPACK Spezialmaschinen GmbH's PERFECTA has taken on the need for double-chamber tea bag. PERFECTA Tag operates at a capacity of 400 teabags per minute produc- ing natural filter paper double-chamber bags with string and tag affixed. The machines can attach tags and seal bags with staples or with a knotting system. TEEPACK has a cartoning attachment for this machine for boxes between 15 and 160 bags. PERFECTA envelope can produce up to 380 bags per minute with a stapled tag that is cut from the paper envelope while PERFECTA Universal allows paper enveloping or foil wrap. Safer and simpler Consumers are increasingly interested in the way that their consumables are produced and the potential health impact of these details. IMA Industries has responded by developing all of their new line of machines to eliminate the need for a staple in the stringing and tagging process. The machines are capable of producing a double knot to secure the tag and string to the bag. The tagging system is just one potential time and resource saving option. IMA's C 24E can make up to 400 bags per minute and is able to pull down to 1.5 meters from the core of the packaging reel, reducing waste. The company is also in the process of developing a solution for their older model machines, C 23 staple machines, to convert to a knotting system. In 2012, TEEPACK received the German Packaging Award at Fach- Pack2012 for a new knotting system for the production of tea bags. Traditionally knotted tea bag machines use a needle The MAI S.A. EC24 added speed and automation to the production of single chamber bags. Key Needs of Tea Packers * Speed * Ability to consistently and reliably dose non-homogenous blends * Minimize use of labor through automation * Streamlined systems such as integrated tagging and cartoning * Sustainable materials and the elimination of extras like staples and glues * Ability to produce range of shapes and sizes